Was the IRS on a witch hunt?

Barrie Maguire illustration

Barrie Maguire illustration

An IRS official apologized for the agency’s “inappropriate” scrutiny of tax-exemption applications from groups with “tea party” or “patriot” in their names. Some Republicans seized on the news as evidence that the Obama administration had politicized the process of granting tax-exempt status during the 2012 election campaign. The White House denied having any part in the IRS’s actions. Do you believe it? The agency’s inspector general is now investigating the matter. Should Congress investigate, too? Groups that endorse political candidates or parties are ineligible for tax-exempt status. Do you think the IRS scrutiny was politically motivated, or more like due diligence? Talk about it!